Keys? Check. Purse? Check. Chapstick? Check.
I stepped out of the doorway and made my way towards the bus stop. There was a guy around my own age already waiting there. He was hunched over on the bench, holding his hoodie tightly and shaking slightly.
I couldn't blame him, it was below 5 out on the cold, crisp February morning.
I sat down on the bench next to him and pulled out my book, flicking the pages not so much as to take them in but rather to pass the time.
I knew I shouldn't have come out so early. I would be there for at least another 15 minutes. Probably wasn't the best idea to have a book out either. My hands were trembling as I grasped at the edges.
I peeked out from behind my hood and noticed him glancing over. He looked away when he saw I had spotted him staring, evading direct eye contact with me.
A few minutes passed in silence, the cold air making it difficult to breathe. I leant forward slightly and caught his eye again.
He smiled at me, and I returned it.
I turned my attention back to the book. I could feel him edging over to me, but only slightly. He was craning his neck to see what I was reading. I tilted it sidewards so that he could see the cover.
It was best to humour him, right?
He chuckled at the gesture and I smirked, more to myself than anything else.
"That's a good choice."
"You think?"
"Yeah. I read it last year in my English class."
A awkward grin recided on his face, his cheeks flushed. Even today I wouldn't be able to tell you if it was from embarrassment or the result of sitting outside in the chilled air.
"What part are you on?" he continued, his voice stiff.
"Susie's just entered Ruth's body and slept with Ray."
"The novel got 50 shades of freaky then."
"Well I- uh- It's pretty freaky so far, yeah."
I laughed nervously, twisting my body to face him. It was only then that I noticed he had been watching me speak. I shuffled and re-adjusted my coat, suddenly very aware of how close we were to one another.
"I don't believe we've been formally introduced. Denver."
He was holding out his hand and I took it, shaking it somewhat firmly despite the cold.
"Arya."
"Pretty name."
"Thanks."
I felt my cheeks heating up. I brushed my hair from my eyes in an attempt to hide my then reddening cheeks.
Silence sat between us.
"So uh, do you like English?"
Oh thank god. At least he had managed to find the words while I was at a loss.
"Yeah, it's actually one of my favourite classes."
He nodded at my response, "That's pretty cool."
"I guess it is."
Silence rang loudly once again. Damn my awkward disposition! It was a fault I couldn't shake.
"Not much of a talker, are you?"
Of course he had noticed. Just my luck.
"I don't really feel the need to speak when there is nothing to say." I commented, and immediately found myself regretting it. Sarcastic responses weren't my strong point.
"Ha, I guess that makes you Abigail then."
It was then I grinned to myself at the reference and tried to stifle a giggle.
"Haha, very funny."
"I try."
Our eyes met and locked. His were glinting with a boyish charm, his tousled blonde hair swept across his face.
"So, how long do we converse before it's not totally inappropriate for me to ask you out for hot coffee?"
"Smooth."
"You could say that!"
I paused, drawing out the thought and rubbing my chin in an almost profound way.
"Well, I guess I could shift my schedule to grace you with my presence."
He chuckled and shook his head.
"Sounds like somebody's acting cocky now!"
"I try."
"You're a funny one you are."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah."
A bus rolled around the corner, sputtering with the effort. A12.
He stood up and turned to me, pulling his backpack up onto his right shoulder.
"Well, this is my ride."
"So sad to see you go, Len."
He lips pulled at the corner, clearly amused at the comment..
"Again with your fabulous sense of humour."
The bus pulled to a stop by the curb and its doors swung open.
"Ok, so maybe meet you tomorrow? Same place, same time?" He gestured to the bus stand, "I can't think of a better rendevous point than our trusty shelter."
"It's a deal."
He stepped up into the bus and gave me a mock bow.
"Farewell, my dear Abigail."
He paid for his ticket and took his seat as the bus started off, and we exchanged looks. He winked back at me, and I turned away to hide my embarrassment. My own bus, the A5, appeared from around the corner minutes later and I sighed, a faint smile still playing on my lips.
Another one fell for the charm of a cheeky stranger.
